Ethics, Culpability and the Human Brain – Part 6
January 24, 2012
Dear Friends,
So far in this series we have mostly discussed the “hardware” of the brain and the ramifications upon us. The “software” of the brain, if we use a computer analogy, has even greater implications. The “software” is the “programs” or thoughts in our head that shape who we are and how we behave.
So far in this series we have mostly discussed the “hardware” of the brain and the ramifications upon us. The “software” of the brain, if we use a computer analogy, has even greater implications. The “software” is the “programs” or thoughts in our head that shape who we are and how we behave. Who we are as people – our personality, character, belief system, our behavior – is for the most part the sum total of our thoughts and beliefs. We each form our unique set of beliefs from the highly significant (i.e. I believe in God) to insignificant (i.e. I prefer chocolate to vanilla). This unique collection of thoughts forms us as individuals and shapes our behavior. In fact, if one were able to plot all of our thoughts and beliefs in a chart, it would be easy to predict how we might react in any given situation. It would show why some people act one way and others act in an entirely different way.
We cannot overestimate the power of a single thought. It was a thought behind the invention of penicillin and the writing of the works of Shakespeare. It was also a thought behind the Holocaust. Again, if we continue in our computer analogy, we can think of our thoughts as helpful programs which do helpful things and viruses that cause hurtful things.
Let’s take a very simple Bible example to illustrate. Adam and Eve had one law – don’t eat of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is all they know until the serpent shares with them this new thought.
Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.(Gen. 3:4,5)
Eve now has another belief choice introduced to her. One thought is truth and another is a virus. Now, if we were able to get into Eve’s head and see her belief system which now included the idea that the tree was “good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise” and that she believed what the serpent said, we could predict that Eve was going to eat the fruit. Her thoughts were an accurate predictor of her coming behavior.
The Bible expresses this idea in terms of faith bringing forth works. We tend to equate this idea with Bible faith (belief in God, etc.) compels us to act godly. This is true, but not at limited to the positive side of the equation. All people operate by their belief system whether good thoughts or viruses. I personally know a man who killed a woman for the simple reason that he thought he needed to kill someone in order to “be a man.”
This insight into human behavior is extremely helpful. First, it can help us through careful self-examination to understand why we do what we do. We can peel back the onion on our own belief system and determine the root causes of our own behavior. What deep seeded beliefs and thoughts cause us to act as we do? Once those underlying beliefs are comprehended, we can question their validity and try to correct them with God’s word as our guide. In the same manner, it is also valuable in us helping others. When we see destructive behavior in others, what we are witnessing is a symptom of a collection of thoughts. Yet all too often, we simply try to address the symptom rather than the root cause. When we see someone steal, we need to ask, what underlying beliefs are causing this behavior? If we can help that person address the underlying behavior, we can truly help them on a more meaningful level. For example, we might convince someone not to steal because of the possible ramifications for stealing such as damage to their reputation or even going to prison. How much more helpful is it, however, if we can convince a person to actually believe that stealing is wrong and overcome the desire to do so?
Because thoughts are potentially so harmful both to our mental health, spiritual well-being and our behavior, we are encouraged to think on good things and reject things that are hurtful. Paul writes in his epistle to the Philippians,
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.(4:8 NIV)
As we all know, this is not so easy. These “viruses” are in us and ready to work their mischief. Jesus said,
For out of the heart come evil thoughts-murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.(Mt. 15:19 NIV)
Notice the strange way Jesus phrases this. He doesn’t say “hatred is in the heart which causes murder”, he says murder – a physical action – is in our heart. Jesus knew that the virus was the root problem. Good thoughts equal good behavior and bad thoughts equal bad behavior.
Have a great week,
